Women in STEM: Overcoming exclusionary workplace culture
As of 2026, women remain underrepresented in STEM fields, but initiatives like the Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Booster Act aim to enhance diversity and support for women in these areas.
In order to continue to review how far gender equality has come across life sciences, and assess what more could be done to further harness female potential from the beginning, pharmaphorum speaks with female industry experts from time to time.
Here, Tina Liedtky, president of transplant diagnostics at Thermo Fisher Scientific, shares her own experience and insights.
Q. In 2026 women remain underrepresented in the STEM community. Why do you think this is?
Tina Liedtky: I believe that women continue to be underrepresented in the STEM community due to ingrained gender stereotypes, lack of early encouragement, and exclusionary workplace cultures. Typically, girls are less likely to be encouraged to pursue advanced coursework in areas like physics and engineering. In turn, women in STEM face biases and limited access to professional development and mentorship.
Unfortunately, these dynamics often cause girls to lose confidence in their skills and women to pursue careers outside of the STEM field. Women need to see more representation and role models in the workplace, as well as have male allies, to counteract these inequities.
Q. What, in your opinion, have been the most notable contributions to the life sciences by women? Who inspired you?
There have been quite a few. One that comes to mind is Getrude Elion’s work in developing drugs to treat leukaemia, malaria, and herpes. Her work has also been used as the foundation to develop immunosuppressants that aim to reduce organ rejection, which led to a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. More recently, Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier’s development of CRISPR-Cas9, a genome-editing technology that revolutionised genetic research.
These Nobel Prize winners shine light on the impact that women can have in the sciences when given the right tools, support, and guidance to succeed. The work that these women have done in their respective fields, and the recognition they received for it, are helping to counteract the stereotypes that are present in STEM. These women – and many more – are wonderful examples of role models for the next generation of women looking to pursue careers in science.
Personally, I’m inspired by the women I work with every day at Thermo Fisher Scientific and our customers who work in the field of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing and transplantation. There are many accomplished women in this space who have advanced the science of immunogenetics and are helping improve patient outcomes in transplantation.
Q. What has the journey to today been like for you personally within the diagnostics field?
My experience working within the diagnostics industry has been nothing short of amazing. I have had the privilege of working as an executive for top-tier, multi-national companies in interesting and meaningful roles. I am very grateful to have had these opportunities with companies that value diversity of employees and a multiplicity of thoughts. Within the diagnostics industry, I have also found customers and industry partners alike to be very welcoming and collaborative.
Q. What trends do you believe we will see next when it comes to achieving more balanced representation of women in the STEM community?
Achieving greater gender balance in STEM requires a series of intentional, sustained commitments beginning long before women enter the workforce. The formative early years are crucial for nurturing a lasting interest in STEM subjects, which is why expanding access to quality STEM education experiences in primary school is so essential.
Another opportunity to achieve more balanced representation of women in the STEM community would be to increase programmes in the workplace that encourage more women to opt-in, such as skill-based hiring, pay transparency, and policies that promote work-life balance. Importantly, structured mentorship programmes that connect women with role models can empower more women to pursue leadership roles in their chosen fields.
By advancing access to STEM, we can increase opportunities for all students and achieve a workforce that more fully represents the world around us, ultimately driving more innovative, resilient communities. When we cultivate a culture that actively welcomes and empowers women in the sciences, we open the door to more diverse perspectives and the potential to reach new insights.
About the interviewee
Tina Liedtky is president of transplant diagnostics at Thermo Fisher Scientific. She is a strategic healthcare executive with a proven track record of driving growth through innovation and delivering patient impact in the medical device and diagnostics sectors. Liedtky is passionate about driving business transformation, fostering innovation, and mentoring the next generation of leaders.
